Publisher: Kensington
Publication Date: May 2025
Marlow Heddings is starting over. She’s carried the outrage of her husband Dylan’s affair with a younger woman—and the expectations of his family’s powerful Chicago holdings company—long enough. Now, after another devastating twist of fate, she’s unapologetically moving on.
Arriving in tiny Bramble, Kentucky, Marlow revels in her freedom, swapping her executive suits for sundresses . . . and scouting places to open her dream boutique. Best of all is her new residence, an adorable cottage with gorgeous lake views—and a breathtaking landlord, former Marine Cort Easton. Soon they’re sharing dockside morning coffee and nighttime firefly gazing. Marlow’s new life feels like a dream.
Then Pixie Nolan arrives on her doorstep. With a shocking secret.
To Marlow’s astonishment, Dylan’s “other woman” is a desperate girl of nineteen, destitute, exhausted, and disowned by her family. Defying her manipulative in-laws’ demands, and surprising even herself, Marlow vows to lay down roots in Bramble and help Pixie get on her feet. Then they’ll part ways. But empathy has a way of forging bonds. As Marlow grows close to the hard-working, devoted young woman, she becomes something of a big sister to Pixie.
Now, with each sunrise, Marlow awakens to the life she was truly meant to live, one filled with deepening connections, supportive friendship . . . and even a second chance at love.
The Guest Cottage is the first book in the Firefly Summer series. After Marlow's husband dies during a nasty divorce, she is ready to cut all ties with his family and start over. She ends up in the little tow of Bramble and quickly realizes that this little town has a big heart.
This was the perfect story to kick off the month of June and upcoming summer. It made me want to go out to the countryside and look for fireflies. I adored all of the relationships that Marlow made with the people in the town. I also loved that her relationship with Cort began gradually and effortlessly. At its heart the story is about acceptance and forgiveness. The grace and forgiveness that Marlow is able to give to Pixie had me really admiring her character. This is a sweet story that will leave you with a sense of hope and belonging. I highly recommend it.
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